2000 miles, really?
09-13-2016, 09:46 AM
#16
Racer
When I picked up my first 911 Coupe at the factory in 1984, the factory rep told me not to break 5000 RPM for the first 1000 miles. When I picked up my 1989 Turbo Cab at the factory, they told me the same thing. That car lasted me 26 years........So as I drive my 2016 TARGA GTS, I did not go over 5000 RPM's for the first 1000 miles. Now at 1750 miles in almost a year and the car drives great. I know I will start driving it more the next 12 months......either me (or my family) -
09-13-2016, 10:01 AM
#17
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Tons of engine break-in threads on Rennlist. Hotly contested. Here a good read:
https://rennlist.com/forums/991-gt3-...e-s-mouth.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/991-gt3-...e-s-mouth.html
09-13-2016, 11:36 AM
#18
I wonder how many client advisors follow the warm up the oil and 4000rpm limit procedures while demoing the cars. I have never heard of a salesperson ask me to drive a while in order to warm up the oil and keep it below 4000rpm. On the contrary, I've seen CAs drive it like they stole it with a cold engine to impress me with the capabilities of the car in order to make the sale. Unless your car has 1 or 2 miles on the clock the rest is meaningless, damage has been done already.
If you are worried about brake in on a car that has been demo and has any x amount of miles I would recommend that you do European Delivery, that way you can baby it and make sure that you are the only one touching the car.
If you are worried about brake in on a car that has been demo and has any x amount of miles I would recommend that you do European Delivery, that way you can baby it and make sure that you are the only one touching the car.
09-13-2016, 11:46 AM
#19
+1
You want to make sure that the rings bed properly and the only way you can really do that is vary the load thru numerous driving (heat) cycles.
09-13-2016, 12:22 PM
#21
Nordschleife Master
Do what you want - its your car. I don't think there are adverse effects either way. You will reach 2000 miles quicker than you think.
09-13-2016, 01:03 PM
#22
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Ha ha! Exactly. In fact, three years ago when I compared break-in procedures in manuals between three different countries for the same car, they were all different. Others did not have the 4200 rpm limit. Does Physics change when you cross a border or does the litigious nature of the society change? I'm surprised there is not a 10,000 mile limit in California.
I will add to your post that oil warm up (regardless of miles on the car) is extremely important.
My Porsche was at 140mph within 15 minutes of leaving Stuttgart. 27k miles and no issues and no observable oil usage. But I completely understand and appreciate those who follow the manual and wait untill 2k miles to seat their piston rings. Got it. It's an expensive investment and why risk it.
09-13-2016, 02:36 PM
#23
Drifting
BMW V8 engines are having excessive oil burning issues because they have so much torque and the automatic transmission shift so early that the engines never get broken-in. This tells me that the engine needs to be run up to higher RPMs in order to seat the rings properly.
Natch you never do this until it's all properly warmed up. And common sense dictates that you ramp up your maximum RPMs over time on a fresh engine.
But as others have noted, many cars are test driven and flogged and that doesn't seem to affect their longevity anyway.
Natch you never do this until it's all properly warmed up. And common sense dictates that you ramp up your maximum RPMs over time on a fresh engine.
But as others have noted, many cars are test driven and flogged and that doesn't seem to affect their longevity anyway.
09-13-2016, 03:12 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
Over the years I've noted many different break-in routines, with the following ultimate list that I've compiled:
Or you could do what I do and just drive it.
- As soon as the car comes off the transporter, make sure that the dealer parks it.
- Hire a flat-bed to take it to a competent P-car shop.
- Drain the factory oil, which is likely synthetic.
- Fill with good old dino-oil, which helps ensure a better seal.
- Flat-bed the car to your house, park it, and let the dino-oil cure for 3 days.
- On the third day, roll the car into the sun for pre-warming. If the highs aren't in the 70s, wait until Spring, or use a bank of hair dryers.
- Crank the car, immediately turning it off if you notice any odd noises. Boxer engines and P-cars in general make lots of mechanical noises, but if it seems "odd" in any way, don't take any chances.
- Let the car warm up to operating temperature, ensuring that you don't press on the gas pedal. Let it idle for 5 minutes at that temp, then shut it off.
- Cool the car down slowly, so as to not cause the oil to form scabs or clots.
- Roll the car back into the garage and leave it there for 3 more days.
- The oil should be fully cured, so you can drive it for 5 to 10 miles each day, with ample warm-up and cool-down periods.
- 4000 RPM is okay if you need to pass, but in general you should keep the RPMs below 2500 RPM. Pretend that there is a Prius driver in the back seat scowling and berating you for hurting the environment.
- After 1000 miles, flat-bed the car to the shop and have them replace the cured dino-oil with fresh Porsche-specific synthetic oil. You can drive the car home, parking it on top of newspaper to make leak spotting easier.
- Send the dino-oil off for analysis. If you're in a hurry, have the shipping expedited, as you won't be driving the car until the analysis is back.
- Check the newspaper daily for leaks, and check the mail a few times a day to see if the analysis comes back.
- If the analysis comes back clean, you're good to go for phase 2.
- For the next 1000 miles, 4000 RPM is still the absolute max, but you can increase the typical shift point upwards from 2500 RPM in 100 RPM increments for each 250 miles. By the time you reach the 2000 mile mark, you'll be shifting at 3500 RPM routinely!
- You can now drive as much as 30 miles per day without trouble, so the next 1000 miles will only take slightly more than a month.
- At the 2000 mile mark you should take the car to your P-car specialist for a full oil-change, along with new spark plugs, air filters, oil filters, etc.
- After the P-car specialist is done, take the car to the Porsche dealership and have them do a full inspection. Ask them not to test-drive the car, unless they are just puttering around the lot.
- Once past 2000 miles and the car has passed inspection, you can increase the shift-point upwards to where you're comfortable.
- Winding the car out isn't the most efficient, but if you occasionally exceed 5000 RPM, no worries, as your car can handle it thanks to your diligence!
- If you go to a PCA event, do not let an instructor drive your car, as they will likely not adhere to the same guidelines that you do.
- Explain to them that you expect to become a competent "momentum driver" like those who drive Spec Miatas, as you can simply carry speed through corners rather than abusing the brakes and engine.
Or you could do what I do and just drive it.
09-13-2016, 03:48 PM
#25
Does anybody use the search function on RL anymore?
09-13-2016, 04:09 PM
#26
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I picked up a new 964 C2 at the factory on a sunny Monday morning in May '93. Following the extensive briefing and walk around by the Porsche marketing rep, I asked if there were any break-in recommendations. He replied, "1. Don't exceed 5000 rpm for the first 500 miles. 2. Vary your road speed as much as you can to properly break-in the ring and pinion gear. 3. Don't do any full on panic type stops for the first 100 miles to allow the tires loose their green mold release agents and the brakes to bed in. That's all".
I told him I had a DE at the Nurburgring beginning Thursday, and asked if he had any advice. "Simple" he said, "Drive 500 miles before Thursday and you'll be fine. Enjoy your new Porsche".
I arrived at the 'Ring with just over 500 miles and left four days later with 1000. During those miles at the track, that engine got hammered. For the 30,000 miles I owned that car, it never consumed any oil in 5000 mile oil change intervals.
I have no idea what has changed over the last 20+ years in metallurgy, manufacturing clearances and tolerances, so I'll just follow the new recommendation for about 2000 miles, and increase my redline over the next 2000 mile.
YMMV
I told him I had a DE at the Nurburgring beginning Thursday, and asked if he had any advice. "Simple" he said, "Drive 500 miles before Thursday and you'll be fine. Enjoy your new Porsche".
I arrived at the 'Ring with just over 500 miles and left four days later with 1000. During those miles at the track, that engine got hammered. For the 30,000 miles I owned that car, it never consumed any oil in 5000 mile oil change intervals.
I have no idea what has changed over the last 20+ years in metallurgy, manufacturing clearances and tolerances, so I'll just follow the new recommendation for about 2000 miles, and increase my redline over the next 2000 mile.
YMMV
09-13-2016, 04:30 PM
#27
Drifting
How would we ever know? Since every topic has been covered, a person who actually searches would undoubtedly find the answer to his question and just move on, never to be heard from. So it's possible that 2000 people a day search for -- and find -- the answer to their question, and 15 don't search and repost a question that's been answered already.
But probably the answer is pretty low. I think the last time I had a question that I was prompted to ask, it concerned acorns when it got cold last fall. Even though I didn't know the correct "acorn" terminology, whatever I used to search turned up others who had also searched with the wrong terminology, and I was able to find threads that answered the question.
But usually I'm just on here to correct you about PSP, so no searching needed.
But probably the answer is pretty low. I think the last time I had a question that I was prompted to ask, it concerned acorns when it got cold last fall. Even though I didn't know the correct "acorn" terminology, whatever I used to search turned up others who had also searched with the wrong terminology, and I was able to find threads that answered the question.
But usually I'm just on here to correct you about PSP, so no searching needed.
09-13-2016, 06:16 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
NOT ANOTHER BREAK IN THREAD 
09-13-2016, 06:41 PM
#29
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